Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic SZ8
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39
94 Imaging
39 Features
31 Overall
35
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Revealed August 2012
- Updated by Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
- Introduced January 2014
Photography Glossary Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview
On this page, we are comparing the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe SX500 IS was introduced 16 months prior to the SZ8 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX500 IS matches up versus the SZ8 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Panasonic SZ8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Panasonic SZ8
| SX500 IS | SZ8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial exact focus | |||
| Display resolution | 461k | 460k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Canon SX500 IS
| SZ8 | SX500 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | January 2014 | August 2012 | More recent by 16 months |
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic SZ8
| SX500 IS | SZ8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Neither contains selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Absent Touch friendly display |
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX500 IS has got exterior dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SX500 IS and the SZ8.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and SZ8 is 80 and 94 respectively.
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and SZ8.
As you can see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of photos but you should take the launch date of the cameras into account. The older SX500 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Revealed | 2012-08-21 | 2014-01-06 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Digic 4 | Venus Engine |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
| Highest boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 1 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 24-288mm (12.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/3.1-6.3 |
| Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 461 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Display technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.00 m | 5.20 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/1600 seconds | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 341 grams (0.75 lb) | 159 grams (0.35 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 195 shots | 200 shots |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | NB-6L | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail price | $299 | $275 |